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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Geared for Guys Book Tour

I'm so excited to be kicking off the 30 days, 30 blogs, 30 books tour to announce the release of a fantastic new e-book of 8 original quilt patterns called Geared for Guys. OK, so I'm a bit biased -- author & fabric designer Emily Herrick (of Crazy Old Ladies fame) asked me to be a featured contributor ... and my quilt made the cover!

First off, if you're not familiar with Emily and her work, you really need to check out her blog. Go ahead, I'll wait.

OK, glad you're back! I'm sure you saw that not only is Emily an accomplished pattern designer, but a successful fabric designer with Michael Miller Fabrics. (After the success of her first two lines -- Going Coastal and Hall of Fame -- Emily is all set to release her third line, A Shore Thing.) And now, Emily can add author to that list.

Several months ago, Emily contacted me to see if I would be interested in collaborating with her on a new book project she was working on. Of course, once she shared her idea of a e-book focused on quilt patterns with "guy appeal", I was all in. I was so happy to design a new original pattern to be featured in the book, and was excited to make my quilt with the Curious Nature line by David Butler.

We decided to call this quilt "Urban Decay", and here's how I describe the pattern in the book:

This quilt, with its decidedly masculine colors and prints combined with a design with structural and architectural overtones, should appeal to a wide variety of men in your life. Equally suited for the dorm room or den, Urban Decay is sure to be a conversation piece for years to come.

I purposely designed this quilt to be fairly straightforward in its design; however, the mix of primary and secondary shapes combine in a variety of ways to make the quilt visually compelling. At first you might just notice squares and rectangles with some triangles mixed in; then, a secondary pattern of octagons begins to emerge; and finally, you can begin to see a very modern take on traditional quilt blocks like the churn dash and spool blocks.

As a play on the overarching structural and architectural themes of the design, I decided to let the pattern begin to “fall apart” towards the bottom of the quilt. Simply by swapping out some printed blocks for solid counterparts, I created the illusion that this structure isn’t quite as sound as you might think. Whether it’s still in the process of being built -- or in the process of (not literally) coming apart at the seams -- this unexpected design element gives the quilt some movement as well as some visual interest.

Of course, these elements of “decay” are optional -- you could choose a more straightforward construction approach. (If you do, be sure to adjust your cutting directions accordingly.) And, although I’ve included the directions and diagrams to make your quilt exactly like mine, feel free to play around and customize your “Urban Decay” element as much as you’d like. Have fun, and make the design your own.

I am, of course, excited to reveal my own quilt project from the book, but the other 7 patterns are really, really great as well. I am confident in saying that there's something for every guy in this book, and Emily's patterns are so versatile that they would look great with many different fabric and color selections.

I sure hope that you want to get your hands on this great e-book, and I'm glad to be giving away the first free copy of the blog tour! If you'd like to enter to win, simply leave a comment below and let me know if you're planning on making any quilts for the men in your life. I'll randomly select a winner and announce it here on the blog shortly. And be sure to follow along with the tour for 29 more chances to win. Tomorrow's stop is at the Jolly Jabber, blog of the always fabulous Fat Quarter Shop. Say "hi" to Kimberly for me!

If you simply can't wait to see if you've won, you can order the e-book (in PDF format) through Emily's Etsy shop. You can also find all of Emily's standalone quilt patterns there, too.

I love your pattern and your choice of fabric. I like the 'decay.' I just finished up a quilt for my husband, who is practically the only guy in my life ( lot of daughters and granddaughters), but that wouldn't stop me from making a more masculine quilt. thanks for the giveaway. Kathie L in Allentown

First and foremost Congrats to you John what wonderful news... I am thrilled for you. Second great looking quilt. Definetly a perfect name for this. I love the design, and I am not a modern type of gal... Keep up the great blog posts...

So glad to see you used the fabrics I was pulling for in the Madness voting. I really love this stuff. Such great colors and designs.Of course........your decay idea is so GOOD.I really love ebooks too........so wonderful all around. Thx for the chance.

I just bought some Curious Nature and was looking for a quilt to make with it for my daughter's boy friend. I would love to win a copy of this book to choose a quilt pattern for that! Love yours done with CN too. I'll be in Raleigh May 22-29 if you are around.

I've currently got a WIP for my nephew, all reds and oranges and boy-themed fabrics, hopefully to be done for his sixth birthday in September. I'm also working on a baby quilt for a friend's son who just turned three months. :)

I LOVE THIS! I always say it is so hard to put together a 'guy' qulit that does not look 'boy'! This is a great book! I need me one! (Plus I jsut got done with a project and need a new project to work on! BONUS!!)

Great job on the quilt. Love to see ideas taking shape in the quilt. Recently caved and bought most of the Curious Nature line...been wanting it since it came out, but couldn't decide what I wanted to do with it. Thanks for the inspiration.Would like to make the hubby a quilt. Have been thinking of using civil war or william morris prints. Afraid he'll take it hunting and don't want to use my Curious Nature...Selfish, much?

I'm ashamed to admit I've never made a quilt for my husband. I have wanted to for so long but have never made the time. I also have a son now who needs a mama made quilt. Further I have two nephews arriving this summer so there will plenty of opportunities to use these patterns.

I'm always on the look-out for "guy quilts". I have a son that is only 8 now but he loves for me to make him things and I want to continue doing that as he becomes an adult. Some of my best friends are men and I would like to make them quilts that they would appreciate. I really like how Urban Decay seems to become undone at the bottom.

A bunch of guys in my life too, sons, sil DH....they all have clamored for quilts more in their taste...besides the sports themed standard. I 'll be checking this book out and I love your quilt, a wonderful blend of the new and the old.

Congratulations on being on the front Cover! That is a great accomplishment John! I plan on making several quilts for the men in my life, husband, father-in-law, brother and nephews. This book will be great to help me in my quilting journey!

I just finished up 2 boy baby quilts for my soon-to-be-born nephews. I guess they weren't super masculine, but they weren't girly at all. I'd love to make a quilt for my dad. Maybe these quilts were my gateway drug.

Congratulations on being a cover "guy". I just finished a quilt for my Dad for father's day. HOWEVER, my husband fell in love with it and has absconded with the quilt. So now I am going to make another one for my Dad and it looks like this book will be of great help. Thanks for the chance to win!sharon.bourque@sympatico.ca

With three boys, I am always watching for things that would appeal to their constantly changing interests. I agree with you about the versatility of Emily's patterns. I don't like some of her patterns in one color scheme, but love it in another. I like her eye for interest and simplicity. Maybe that's why I like her fabric designs as well. It compliments instead of distracts from the quilt designs.

Love the quilt and I have been looking for a pattern to make my husband a quilt for about three years. So you think it would look good in navy ,red and tan as I already have fabrics. I would love this book .

Great quilt, John! Congrats on making the cover! I have made just a couple of quilts for men. It's always tricky to find a manly pattern and to choose fabrics. I've always had to design them myself.. Thanks for a chance.

With all the men/boys in my life (Dad, six brothers, husband, three sons), I need to get started on manly quilts! This book would be a great jumping off point because my husband has nixed every pattern I've shown him. "Too girly" he says.

I made a lap quilt for my DH for Christmas this year. It was made using a panel with moose on it. He would love to have a more manly quilt on our bed. The pink and yellow flowers just don't do it for him he says.

I love Urban Decay. I'm a relatively new quilter and am still finding my style. I love the hint of traditional (the triangles and sashing), but the real winner is the deconstruction at the bottom. I've been wanting to make a quilting with elements of surprise, and I think this is it! As far as "man" quilts, I've got fabric lined up for an outer space quilt for my son and have been toying around with ideas for my dad. I think this would be an awesome project for him.

I have 3 grown sons who each have a quilt, but it is time for another one. It is difficult to find masculine patterns and fabric. Looks like this book will be a huge help. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.

Yay for Emily! And your pattern looks great, too! I am currently working on a quilt for my husband to celebrate 25 incredible years of marriage! :D I'm working on the free motion quilting right now - my first - and so it's slow going! Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great book!!! :o)

My son wants a quilt and I love Parson Gray fabric and think this looks so great with the pattern you came up with. Love the deconstructed look of it and all of the different elements! I'm looking forward to the rest of the blog hop.LauraT

I am surrounded by males, so yes, Iwill be making quilts for the fellas in my life :-) No pink florals in this house - ha ha! I just love the creative twist in your design - truly original! Thanks for the chance to win!

I've actually made a quilt for my 26 year old son recently. He was SHOCKED when he opened it. The first thing he did was say, "Where's the label?" (And I almost didn't put a label on!! So glad I did as evidently it meant something to him!)

Congratulations on the cover quilt. I've been thinking about making a quilt for my brother and an uncle - definitely must be manly. Your cover quilt with less decay could be the ticket! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this e-book.

Yes, I have quilts planned for all the little guys in our house and am actually working on a baby boy quilt for an extended family member this week. Love these patterns; thanks for chance to win! (EMAIL: marshudson at comcast dot net)

I seriously need to get busy....There are 3 guys in my life graduating at the end of May. My son from college and 2 nephew's from highschool. This book would be a great help coming up with ideas...I wonder how they would feel about an IOU quilt? These look great!

A guy friend of mine has asked if I will make a quilt to fit his Calif King sized bed. It would be my first that large. He wants something geometric and is excited to pick a quilt design that won't be 'girly'. Emily is just in time!

Hi John, Geared for Guys looks like it's going to be a great book! I would love to make a quilt for my husband. It would be nice for him to have a quilt that is just his, for his "Mans Chair". Thank you for sharing with us. By the way, will there be more "Pre-View" of the other quilts? I would love to see some of the others that will be offered in the book.My email is khauglan(at)(yahoo)(dot)com.